Carpet Beetles

Introduction:

The varied carpet beetle probably gets its common name because there is great variation in the color pattern on its dorsal surface. This species is known to cause dermatitis in humans. It is worldwide in distribution and is found throughout the United States.

Identification

Adults about 1/16-1/8" (1.8-3.2 mm) long. Body black, with pattern of yellow and white scales on pronotum and elytra (wing covers), 2 transverse zigzag bands of white scales bordered by yellow scales on elytra; scales elongate, 2-3 times as long as broad; lower/underside of body covered with grayish yellow scales. Antennae short, with 3-segmented, compact club. Posterior end of elytra evenly rounded. Abdominal 5th sternite broadly and deeply emarginate (notched) epically. In addition, body oval, head more or less concealed from above, with a median ocellus, and tarsi 5-5-5.

Larval length up to 1/4" (4-5 mm). Stout, widest posteriorly. Color dark brown to black. Covered with brown hairs; with tufts of spear-headed hairs (hastisetae) arising from membranous areas on the sides of abdominal segments 5-6-7 pointing towards the rear and converging towards the center, heads of spear-headed hairs of hind tufts equal in length to combined length of 7-8 preceding segments. Antennae with segment 2 less than 2.5 times as long as broad. Abdominal sternites entirely membranous.

(3) Other dermestids (Dermestidae) with less compact antenna! club of usually more than 3 segments, hairs on dorsal surface somewhat flattened but not scalelike, and/or 5th abdominal sternite not deeply notched epically.

(4) Powderpost/deathwatch/anobiid beetles (Anobiidae) with antenna longer, if clubbed, then club asymmetrical (lopsided).

DAMAGE AND SIGNS OF INFESTATION

Fabrics typically have much surface damage and holes here and there, but larvae can cause large irregular holes in material. Furs and brushes have mostly the tips of hairs damaged, leaving uneven areas. With museum insect specimens, the accumulation of fine powder/frass beneath the specimen is often the only indication of these beetle's presence. Larval caste/molt skins are often present. Frass/droppings are minute, irregular in form, often the color of the material being damaged. The larvae may burrow through packaging materials when seeking food.

BIOLOGY

Females do not always lay their eggs on larval food material. The eggs hatch in 17-18 days. The larval period ranges from 222-323 days but may last up to 623 days under adverse conditions of temperature, humidity, and food, and requires an average of 7-8 molts (range 5-16). The larva pupates in the last larval skin and pupation lasts 10-13 days. Developmental time (egg to adult) usually requires 249-354 days at room temperature, but may take as long as 2-3 years depending on temperature and food. Adult males live 13-28 days whereas, females live 14-44 days.

One case of dermatitis occurred in a man over a 5-year period due to hypersensitivity to an infestation in his bedroom carpet. Inhalation of large quantities of the larval spear-headed hairs may cause pulmonary irritation; Anthrenus spp. are known to cause this condition.

Mature larvae are slightly longer than adults and are covered with dense tufts of hair they extend upright to form a round plume if disturbed. They have alternating light and dark brown stripes and are distinguishable from other carpet beetle larvae because they are broader in the rear and narrower in front.

Furniture Carpet Beetles

When viewed from above, adults of the furniture carpet beetle, A. flavipes, are slightly larger and rounder than the varied carpet beetle. Coloration and markings vary, but the furniture carpet beetle generally has a mottled appearance due to the black spots that intersperse the white and dark yellow to orange scales on its wing covers. If these scales have worn off, the adults can appear solid black. Their undersides are white.

Larvae are white at first but darken to dark red or chestnut brown as they mature. In contrast to larvae of the varied carpet beetle, these larvae are broader in front and narrower at the rear. Larvae of the furniture carpet beetle feed on the same types of items as varied carpet beetle larvae.

CONTROL

The key to controlling varied carpet beetles is to find the primary source(s) of infestation and eliminate it/them. Besides the obvious clothing, furs, drapes, carpeting, and stored products, it may be necessary to check for the more unusual places such as those listed above. Ask the customer about both current and past occurrences of flies in the winter, boxelder bugs, rodent problems, birds nesting on/in the building, etc.
The thorough inspection should be followed by good sanitation practices, and pesticide application when required. Museum specimens may be treated with heat and/or cold if applicable (be careful of possible damage to specimens) or with fumigants. Refer to the control section under the general treatment of fabric and paper pests for details.